Operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have arrested a wanted leader of an international human trafficking network, Uadiale Christiana Jacob, aka Christy Evan Osagie at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
The suspect was arrested on December 31, 2024, on arrival from Dubai to celebrate the New Year.
The socialite whose network operates across the Middle Eastern countries with an operational base in the United Arab Emirate (UAE), has been on the wanted list of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for the past five years, according to Vincent Adekoye, the agency’s press officer in a statement on Friday.
He explained that luck ran out on Christy on December 31, 2024, as immigration officers acting in respect of the NAPTIP’s watch list dated February 22, 2023, nabbed her on arrival in Nigeria.
The statement added that her accomplices identified as Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian and a certain Prophet John in Lagos, along with other field officers who assist in the recruitment and subsequent transfer of victims to Christy are currently on the run.
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“Uadiale Christiana Jacob popularly known as Christy Gold is a senior member of an organized human trafficking syndicate notorious for the recruitment, trafficking and sexually exploiting of underage Nigerian girls in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Following the agency’s investigation into the alleged offense to establish culpability, Christiana Uadiale Jacob was arrested by NAPTIP in Ikpoba Hill area, Benin City on the 13th of October, 2020 for her involvement in the trafficking of Nigerian girls to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for forced prostitution.
“She was charged to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, on the 25th of November, 2020, where she was granted bail.
“While on court bail, Christiana Uadiale Jacob violated the terms of the bail and absconded to Dubai. After failing severally to appear before the court, a bench warrant was therefore issued by the sitting judge on the 3rd of November, 2021 for her arrest.
“To get Christiana Uadiale Jacob to face justice for her crimes, NAPTIP sought the assistance and collaboration of the minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, National Central Bureau (NCB), INTERPOL Nigeria, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the United Arab Emirates police for her arrest and extraction to Nigeria.
“Even while she tried to evade justice, NAPTIP did not relent and as a result of our diligent prosecution of the case, Christiana Uadiale Jacob was convicted for human trafficking in absentia by Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on the 21st of March, 2024 with sentencing being awaited whenever she is rearrested and brought before the court.
“Luck however ran out on her on the 31st of December, 2024, as officers Nigeria Immigration Service acting in respect of NAPTIP’s request for watchlisting dated 22nd February, 2023, nabbed her on arrival to Nigeria,” the statement stated.
Meanwhile, Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, has lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Immigration Service in apprehending the fleeing suspect, saying that it was a commendable demonstration of inter-agency collaboration.
She said: “I want to specially thank our sister law enforcement agency, the NIS for the arrest of the convict. Recall that a few weeks ago, I visited the comptroller general of NIS and the outcome of that advocacy visit is this improved synergy and very efficient collaboration. NAPTIP also appreciates the efforts of other members of the intelligence community who are working behind the scenes to apprehend these fellows.
“The convict that has been arrested and convicted will surely be taken to the court to face the sentence by the law. This is a clear message to other members of this international criminal gang who are still on the run: They can only hide for a while; they can never hide forever.
“We have already activated all necessary security and intelligence apparatus and our partners around the world are on the lookout for these elements. Very soon, the net will catch them. I am happy it was a sad end for human traffickers in the country in 2024 and we promise them a hell in 2025.
“We are more determined and will be more decisive this year to fish them out and ensure the protection of Nigerians from trafficking, exploitation and violence against persons.”
